Den platygastrium - humidity questions

[Neural_Toxin]

Hello everyone, first time here. I have a platygastrium mounted on a piece of bark since July/August. I notice some new roots have been growing, but they don’t seem to be gripping onto the wood. I’m concerned since online info suggests this species requires 80-85% humidity year round, but most of the time when it’s in my cabinet the humidity is around 60% and even lower when outdoor. So my question is: is meeting the 80% humidity threshold that crucial for it to thrive? I’m entertaining the idea of putting it back into a pot. If that’s the better option, should I wait for spring when I see new growth to do it? Thank you!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I haven't grown this species, but I have grown its close relative Den. lamellatum. In common with many other Dens. they have strongly seasonal growth patterns. Yours might not make new growth and roots until Spring next year, so now is not the time to pot (nor repot.) If you wish to move it, wait until you see new root nubs.

I don't think 60% relative humidity is too low.

It may still be adjusting to your conditions. Roots grow however they wish, and I don't think it matters whether they attach to the wood. My lamellatum needed lots of water, and habitat for both species is very wet all year. You can learn a lot about orchid species at the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia, orchidspecies.com.

[Roberta]

First, welcome -

When you mounted it, did you place it so that the new roots/new growth were toward the mount? If not, they'll head off into the air.

It does come from the hot, humid lowlands of Papua-New Guinea. If you did the mounting and it's not attached at all, you could just remove the ties and pot it up. If it has some roots attached to the mount, you could pop the whole thing into a pot and fill in with bark. It probably will be happier in a pot - maintaining a high-humidity mounted plant outside of a greenhouse means watering several times a day which is difficult to maintain. .

[Neural_Toxin]

Thank you so much for your responses!